Ashton  Bland (seated) with Tamela Bland and Matthew Harvey

A Montgomery County Middle Schooler has taken a lesson he learned and put it into book form for others to learn as well.

Ashton Bland has released a child’s book that’s been published based on a circumstance in which he and his friend Matthew Harvey participated.

“This book is entitled ‘Silent Night,” the young writer said, “and it’s based upon a time when Matthew and I slipped out of the house and back to the pool one night after we were told not do by my mom.”

The story originated from an assignment he wrote for school.

“I wrote an essay at the beginning of the year for my ELA [English Language Arts] class and my teacher asked my mom if she could publish it on the school website. My Mom and Aunt read it and said it was a good story and had a good lesson.”

The story may be interesting, but the young author penned it for another reason.

“There’s a moral to the story,” Ashton said. “The moral is to obey your parents and I think kids need to hear it.”

He adds that he’s already thinking about writing another book based on the same principle.

“It would be about another one of my adventures, but it would have a meaning behind it,” he said.

Ashton and his mother Tamela Bland self-published the hardback book, and although it may not be in bookstores yet, a copy is available by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Ashton’s mother, along with help from software and family illustrated the book.

Tamela Bland says she is very proud of what her son has already accomplished.

“I’m very proud of him; very proud!” she declared.